While I have no problem with the term "using mom as a pacifier" I know that many have gotten negative reaction to it, so I try to talk about "comfort suckling" and "nutrition suckling". Seeking comfort from mother rather than a "thing" has a more positive ring to many. I tell moms as long as baby maintains a comfortable latch, there is no problem with them comfort sucking at the breast. If baby is nursing effectively when at the breast for nourishment, then it is a personal choice whether she wants baby to be comforted by her or by an inatimate object. (I admit there is a little bias in how I word that-no apologies.) I have seen some babies who have a "perfect" latch when nursing for food/drink, but who want to "hang out" on the nipple only for comfort. Obviously, this can lead to soreness. While discouraging the use of pacifiers, especially in the first month while baby is mastering how to nurse effectively, I realize that there are some situations where some parents may feel the need to use something other than mom's breast to comfort/settle baby. Examples may be: 1-company is leaving in a minute or two and you'd really rather wait to nurse after they've left and you can relax better; or 2-you're up in front of church having baby baptised and aren't one of the mothers who would feel comfortable nursing right there and then. I will suggest having baby suck on a clean knuckle of the person holding baby. It will at least be skin instead of plastic or rubber and it doesn't extend to the hard/soft palate junction like most pacifiers. I really feel this is a primary factor in pacifiers "confusing" baby. With an artificial nipple, there is stimulation at that spot immediately while it takes a few sucks to draw mom's nipple/areola to stimulate the same spot. Don't get me worng-I'm not advocating widespread use of such a "pacifier substitute". It's just that in some cases, I realize parents are going to use something regardless of whether I would recommend it as first choice, so I want to give them an alternative that interferes the least with nursing. Winnie *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html